Cask Ale 'Switch-Hit' Creation To Be A Big Hit With Cricket Fans

Real ale drinkers are set to be bowled over by the ‘Switch Hit’ creation of wannabe brewer Andrew Bratt which has been produced at Thwaites' craft brewery, 'Crafty Dan'.

Andrew Bratt, from Frodsham in Cheshire, has seen his dream pint become a reality after winning a competition to have his brew produced by Thwaites who called on real ale fans to conjure up their own special brew.

‘Switch Hit’ is a 4% pale ale with a unique blend of challenger and styrian hops is amber in colour with mellow flavours and nutty overtones. The beer was created by Andrew taking inspiration from the Thwaites website which uniquely allows consumers to craft their own beer, following a step by step guide to the brewing process.

From the many creative submissions received, ‘Switch Hit’ emerged as the overall winner impressing the brewing team at Thwaites with its simplicity and creative name linked to the cricketing world.

Andrew was able to savour his special brew for the first time at KRO Bar Piccadilly in Manchester in the company of former England and Lancashire cricketer David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd who launched the competition.

Bumble, renowned for his catchphrase ‘Start The Car!’, created his own bespoke beer ‘Leave The Car’, one of the first to be brewed at the craft brewery earlier this year.

Bumble left his car at home to join Andrew and his three guests for a celebratory night out in Manchester as part of the prize before enjoying a curry and taking Bumble’s ‘five naan’ challenge.

Complemented with a pump clip designed to promote the beer, the 80 casks of Switch Hit brewed will be available for a limited period at a number of Thwaites supplied pubs and bars this week.

Ian Bearpark, Thwaites Brewing Director, said: “We had a number of very strong entries from armchair experts inspired to create their own brew. We chose Switch Hit as the overall winner as the ingredients and name encompass the very essence of the Craft Brewery - to create and produce innovative and inspirational ales.”

Andrew Bratt added: “I certainly had great fun experimenting and creating my own brew and I’m very proud to see my perfect virtual pint become a reality like this.

“In thinking about flavours I was trying to come up with something that might be a little unexpected as a switch hit might be in cricket.

“My own local club have a beer festival this month so a cricket themed name for a beer was already on my mind. Spending the night with a cricketing legend was an apt and perfect way to toast my winning brew.”

As well as a night out with David Lloyd in Manchester to celebrate his success courtesy of Thwaites, cricket fan Andrew and three friends will see England in Twenty20 international action against South Africa at Old Trafford as part of the prize.

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